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Ripped from Reps: Student-athletes workout year round to prepare for physical challenge of Division I competition

Ben McCord poses in the Wightman 153 photography studio on March 28. McCord was a tight end on the CMU football team for the 2015-2016 season. Photo filters were applied to image.

It's 7:30 a.m. as freshman Deshawn Baker-Williams enters the Indoor Athletic Complex weight room. Tired and sore from the previous day's workout and football practice, the 310-pound offensive lineman gets to work.

In order to achieve the team's championship goals, Baker-Williams knows he needs to maintain his physical peak each season.

"It's a sub-motivation thing, and your teammates are motivating you," Baker-Williams said.